Soul is a 2020 American animated fantasy comedy-drama film produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures. It was directed by Pete Docter and co-directed by Kemp Powers, both of whom co-wrote it with Mike Jones, and produced by Dana Murray. The film stars the voices of Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Graham Norton, Rachel House, Alice Braga, Richard Ayoade, Phylicia Rashad, Donnell Rawlings, Questlove, and Angela Bassett. Before making Soul, Pete Docter also made Monsters,Inc., Up and Inside Out, each of which received high praise from audiences from all ages.
The story is about a pianist that teaches middle school music part-time named Joe Gardner whose dream is to play jazz professionally. When he receives an offer to teach full time, his mother is glad for him, but he isn’t. Joe learns famous jazz musician Dorothea Williams has an opening in her quartet and auditions at a jazz club. Dorothea appreciates his performance and hires him for the night’s show. Joe is so excited that he dies falling down a manhole on the way to the club.
Joe’s soul is sent to an afterlife called the “Great Beyond”, but he doesn’t want to give up with his dream, so he runs away and gets into a place where new souls learn personality and hobbies before they are born called “Great Before” accidently. The consultants there that help new souls are all called Jerry. In Great Before, Joe is mistaken for a mentor and assigned to guide a soul that has been in the Great Before for thousands of years and hopes to avoid earth named 22.
By an accident, 22’s soul goes into Joe’s body and returns to the earth, by this chance she learns the joy of living and refuses to leave Joe’s body. 22 discovers she has found her spark and is able to be born but Joe thinks that is his not hers.
At the end, Joe learns that spark is not one’s duty, but it’s the passion for life. He helps 22 get out of the lost and sends her to earth. Joe should have entered the Great Beyond, but to thank him for his contribution, Jerry gives him a chance to revive. Joe goes back to his body on earth and commits to fully living life.
The story of Soul takes place in fast-paced, jazz centered New York, as well as in the abstract and dreamlike Great Before, fully utilizing the differences between big cities and fantasy worlds. However, the core of the story is still the contrast between Joe’s confident passion and 22’s unease. The movie not only explores the life and dreams of the protagonist Joe, but also leads the audience to complete a self exploration of life. This movie shows a story of how two confused souls found their meaning in life. Joe chose a profession he truly loved but not a stable but dull life. 22 learned that there’s not only duty in life and found that life is full of precious moments.
Soul not only reminds people who run for their ideals to slow down and return to the beauty of the ordinary life experience, but also comforts those who deny themselves for their ordinariness. When we have enough passion for life itself, whether it is sunshine, petals, or clouds, they can all become the light of our lives. The meaning of life lies in the exploration of beauty and preciousness of every day.
As teenagers, we may often feel pressure and anxiety due to academic achievements, and worry about our future. As we grow older, our worries also increase. Because of this kind of worry, sometimes we put too much pressure on ourselves. We may get confused, and don’t know what we truly want to do. But the movie Soul gives us the answer: Life is not just about studying and working. In between the hustle and bustle, one can occasionally take a break and appreciate the beauty of life. If you’re also struggling with the pressure of study, watching Soul may solve your confusion.